Chapter 1718 - 883: Sacrificing the Child to Trap the Wolf

Me?

In the silence, the petrified Meng Sang turned his head stiffly, incredulous.

Tears were almost uncontrollable.

Why is it me again? Uncle, have you gotten too used to tossing the kid around?

My dad told me to follow you and learn well, was this what he meant!

Not just Meng Sang, even Ling Shuo was dumbfounded by this smooth sequence of moves, if it weren't for the inappropriate setting, he would surely give a thumbs up.

Damn, bro, you're something else.

You just decided to toss William's kid like that!

And you did it with such justification, so convincingly that you were left speechless…

What else could be done?

This is the arrangement; bro, do you want a hostage or not?

Among William's many sons, this is the most promising one.

Since you got hurt because of Shiye's people, let Shiye's spokesperson's son serve you some tea, showing the kinship between us.

Bring the kid over directly and say, bro, I trust you.

The sincerity and attitude have already been presented, with not a hint of deceit… even if it were deceitful, being able to be deceitful to this extent, nobody would have anything to say.

"Hey, my friend, what are you talking about? The young man is so promising, how can he do this? Are you trying to embarrass me?"

Before Ao Gao could withdraw his hand, Ling Shuo held it, smiling generously as if he didn't understand: "But, Luo Island has been unstable lately, go have some fun in Xiang State."

He said, "Experience the scenery and broaden your horizons. Seeing such a promising young man, Alliance Hierarch Minkler would certainly appreciate it."

Immediately, after a moment of confusion, Ao Gao's expression subtly softened.

The Desert Market's matter has nothing to do with the kid. Since you trust me to bring the kid, I'll give face and send him to Minkler's side.

Whether he learns or progresses, given Minkler's shocking security and his status as Seven Cities Alliance Leader, unless Xiang State gets bombed flat, the Desert Market disturbance certainly won't reach him.

It might not solve everything, but with Ao Gao's toss, Ling Shuo's lift, this silly kid Meng Sang found a safe haven amid the storm.

It might seem like an extra matter out of nowhere, but both parties have shown their stance and sincerity. As long as Meng Sang doesn't somehow die in Seven Cities, the relationship between both sides will naturally mend and even grow closer.

Ao Gao had nothing more to say.

Since you're so righteous, bro, you can take Meng Sang to play!

Under mutual understanding, after smoothing out this minor trouble, an agreement was reached.

Ao Gao patted his butt and left, as if making a firm decision.

Came with a kid, left without him, but gained a shipload of Coast specialty goods, all top-notch, making William grin from ear to ear, wondering how his foolish kid could be so valuable?

Seven Cities is great, got to visit more!

As for the voting matter, Ling Shuo didn't bring it up, and Ao Gao didn't mention it either.

Such a sensitive issue, it's better left unspoken. Besides, since Ao Gao signed the cooperation agreement and took the goods back, this vote certainly won't go to Gray Port or East City.

That's enough.

The next day, in the morning, when Ling Shuo finally appeared after deliberately delaying overnight, he encountered another assassination attempt.

But this time, the assassin was so clumsy, they hadn't even approached the Seven Islands Trading headquarters before getting packed up by Peace Cat and sent to the facility.

Who brings weapons ashore openly and boldly walks straight to the headquarters with a phone asking the employer for more money? Dumb doesn't even begin to describe this level of incompetence, just a plain amateur.

But amateurs like these keep coming endlessly… occasionally mixed with a few elites, and perhaps there's someone secretly observing.

It's quite normal.

Nowadays, even without external enemies and rivals, you could gain a few mortal enemies while sitting at home. Not to mention, the more profitable the business, the more envious and hateful others become. Ling Shuo here is making a fortune daily, naturally making others burn with envy and tossing all night.

Rivals wishing their competitors dead, watching helplessly as the money with emotional ties goes into the hands of some outsider, it's really like a knife to the heart.

Now the bigger the Coast business grows, the more middlemen it crushes, inevitably attracting more hatred.

He went ahead and set up a desk in his previously blown-up office to entertain guests and conducted open-air business.

If you dare, come on then.

I'll be waiting.

Best if you could kill me, otherwise, once I finish this busy period and have free time, I'll settle scores one by one!

Such posturing naturally leads to chaos.

Moreover, there's always someone fanning the flames from the shadows.

At this critical juncture, Satria, who'd been missing for a few days, resurfaced!

Blatantly posting a bounty on Desert Market's platform, aiming to rebuild the Iron Hook District, exchanging his vote for Ling Shuo's head!

According to Desert Market's rules, even if a branch is dissolved, as long as the spokesperson can regroup, any previously incurred debt must be repaid from scratch.

Similarly, all former benefits can be reclaimed.

Iron Hook District was registered before Desert Market released the election announcement, so by rules, completing reconstruction earns a vote.

Is trading his vote for Ling Shuo's head worth it? Who cares, Satria's hatred for the Seven Cities runs bone deep.

Even if his vote can't claim Ji Jue's life, at least sparking chaos in the Seven Cities is worthwhile!

He even led his old and newly recruited followers to attack the Coast's ships… leaving no survivors, whether Coast employees or hired crew members.

It's like imitating Ji Jue's actions, piecing together all the gruesome corpses into the shape of genitalia, making a provocation.

By the time Ling Shuo received the news, the photos had already spread across the Desert Market platform.

"He wouldn't dare."

Ling Shuo firmly reported, "Satria, that homeless dog, bites anyone he sees when he's in power, and doesn't even dare whimper when kicked down when he's fading...

If you ask me, ten out of eight times it's that old dog Ling Liu behind this, possibly instigating more people.

They just want to drag us into this mess."

"Weren't we already in the mess?" On the other end of the phone, Ji Jue remained calm, "Getting involved is just a matter of sooner or later."

"Then..."

Ling Shuo hesitated for a moment, and tentatively asked, "What do you mean?"

"It's just Satria, how to handle it specifically, you're the person in charge, decide it yourself, no need to ask me about everything."

Ji Jue decisively said, "Don't worry too much. Winning or losing doesn't matter. Don't care about the money. If there's one demand, it's only one thing—leave no witnesses."

"Got it!"

Ling Shuo was instantly invigorated and promised decisively.

"Alright, I'm still climbing the mountain here, you go ahead."

Ji Jue said goodbye at last and then hung up the phone.

Looking up, under the blazing sun, the lush green forest, the chirping of insects and birds, and a winding stone staircase that emerges intermittently between the grass and trees, faintly leading upwards.

In the distance, a vague sight of the gate and wall could already be seen.

"Is this the An Family?"

He raised his head, tiptoed to look around, and sincerely remarked, "Doesn't look big."

"Hmm."

The boy leading the way in front nodded. As he returned from the trek, the closer he got, the more fearful and nervous his expression became, unable to speak.

"Didn't plan to build a road?"

Ji Jue couldn't help but shake his head, "How do you go out to buy groceries?"

"The family can grow their own, going out means exercise..." An Ran thought for a moment and said, "Grandfather says living in the mountains is for the peace and quiet, building a road would have people coming and going, it would be annoying."

Ji Jue rubbed his chin, puzzled: "Then doesn't the house have any big items? Like a refrigerator, a color TV, a washing machine or something? You have to drive when you go out, right?"

"You can exercise, after buying them, just throw them over."

An Ran recalled past memories, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "When helping sister with her deliveries before, many things got broken by my throwing them, which made her mad many times."

"She doesn't get her delivery herself?" Ji Jue looked around, instinctively lowering his voice, "She's got hands and feet, how come always bullying the child?"

Xiao An was silent for a moment, then lowered his head, his face a bit red:

"I... I did it on purpose."

Thus, Ji Jue stopped short of speaking, unable to say anything.

But then again, don't all kids make mistakes? Breaking a couple of deliveries, what's the big deal?

Boom!!!!

A huge blast erupted suddenly from the foot of the mountain, a massive black shadow whizzed over their heads, Ji Jue looked up, watching dumbfounded as a van just... flew over them...

Just like that, it fell straight behind the distant courtyard wall, without a sound of landing.

For a moment, stunned and speechless.

Alright, alright, is this how Projection Skills are played?

"Whoa! Killing intent!"

Above the tree branches, two figures with exploded hairdos, wearing sunglasses and large flower T-shirts, suddenly hung upside down, solemnly shouting:

"Who are the vile guests, trespassing the Mountain Gate?"

However, despite the words, their faces were clearly holding back laughter, eager to see the spectacle.

An Ran froze for a moment, then smiled, walked up respectfully, and bowed:

"Uncle Neng, Uncle De!"

"Huh, who is this?"

An Neng came closer to observe carefully, "Let me see, looks familiar~"

"Yes, yes!"

"Is it Ah Ran?" An Neng was shocked, "Is it my nephew who's been away from home for many years?"

"Oh, no, no!" Uncle De waved his hand repeatedly.

"Both!" An Neng sighed emotionally, "My nephew hasn't been home for many years, hasn't even sent a New Year's greeting message, we gave him so many red envelopes for nothing."

"Right, right!"

The two brothers came over, skillfully started to pinch cheeks and pat heads playing with the child.

Without any awkwardness from years of not seeing, extremely close.

Ji Jue leaned against the tree nearby, quietly watching them, silently smiling.

"Sorry, Mr. Ji."

The elderly man supporting himself with a cane gradually moved down from the steps, "Those two fools coming to welcome guests, always unfocused, it's the An Family's poor hospitality."